The organ was entirely concealed by voluminous hangings which in no wise lessened the effect of its mournful tones.  Eighteen sepulchral silver lamps were suspended by chains from lances, bearing on their points flags taken from the enemy.  On the pilasters of the nave were fastened trophies of arms, composed of banners captured in the numerous engagements which had made the marshal’s life illustrious.  The railing of the altar on the side of the esplanade was draped in black, and above this were the arms of the duke borne by two figures of Fame holding palms of victory; above was written:  “Napoleon to the Memory of the Duke of Montebello, who died gloriously on the field of Essling, 22d.  May, 1809.”

The conservatory of music executed a mass composed of selections from the best of Mozart’s sacred pieces.  After the ceremony the body was carried as far as the door of the church and placed on the funeral car, which was ornamented with laurel and four groups of the banners captured from the enemy by his army-corps in the numerous battles in which the marshal had taken part, and was preceded by a military and religious procession, followed by one of mourning and honor.  The military cortege was composed of detachments from all branches of the army, cavalry, and light infantry, and the line, and artillery both horse and foot; followed by cannon, caissons, sappers, and miners, all preceded by drums, trumpets, bands, etc.; and the general staff, with the marshal, Prince of Wagram, at its head, formed of all the general officers, with the staff of the division and of the place.

The religious procession was composed of children and old men from the hospitals, clergy from all the parishes and from the metropolitan church of Paris, bearing crosses and banners, with singers and sacred music, and his Majesty’s chaplain with his assistants.  The car on which was placed the marshal’s body followed immediately after.  The marshals, Duke of Conegliano, Count Serrurier, Duke of Istria, and Prince of Eckmuhl, bore the corners of the pall.  On each side of the car two of the marshal’s aides-de-camp bore a standard, and on the bier were fastened the baton of the marshal and the decorations of the Duke of Montebello.

After the car came the cortege of mourning and of honor; the marshal’s empty carriage, with two of his aides-de-camp on horseback at the door, four mourning carriages for the marshal’s family, the carriages of the princes, grand dignitaries, marshals, ministers, colonel-generals, and chief inspectors.  Then came a detachment of cavalry preceded by trumpets, and bands on horseback followed the carriages and ended the procession.  Music accompanied the chants, all the bells of the churches tolled, and thirteen cannon thundered at intervals.